"Noozer" wrote in message
news:IY65f.221843$1i.102208@pd7tw2no...
I've noticed that when changing lightbulbs that the socket seems quite
"rough" and the bulbs don't screw in smoothly. I always wonder if the
contact is as good as it could be.

Is there something I can apply to the threads of the bulb to "lubricate"
them?

Thx!

Odd as it may sound, there is a lubricant for light bulb bases. Sign
companies are the typical users for signs which have thousands of bulbs that
may stay in the sockets for years. The main reason for using a lubricant is
to minimize corrosion so that the bulbs can be removed without damaging the
socket. Put the words "base lubricant" into the first blank at:
http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/search.html and you should get a hit.

If you don't find something that's specially made for the job, try a
silicone-based lubricant. Don't use much and wipe the base of the bulb
before putting it into the socket. As I recall, the lubricants are
non-conductive since screwing the bulb into the socket will rub a clean
metal-to-metal contact. A conductive lubricant (like graphite) could cause
a short circuit or set up conditions for an electrical arc. That you don't
want since any arcing will make things very hot very fast.

Don't use the usual lubricants like oil. The heat from the bulb can cook
the oil into a solid glue.

TKM